MASSIVE congratulations to Warwickshire on winning the County Championship for only the seventh time in their history.

Director of cricket Ashley Giles has moulded a skilful side full of flair and desire that over the coming seasons could easily become the Manchester United of cricket.

He has done it without the services of two of the game’s top-class players Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell due to them having a central contract for England.

Hopefully Giles and his inspirational skipper Jim Troughton can add the CB40 Trophy on Saturday when they face Hampshire at Lord’s.

Cricket is so much more media friendly than football. As the Bears headed towards that brilliant win at Worcester to confirm them as champions I received a call from their extremely helpful communications manager Tom Rawlings asking what access and help we needed on the day.

We were allowed into the dressing room to celebrate and interview the players with no restrictions and no press officer dictating what questions you could and could not ask as we do in football.

Generally with football “news” is what press officers don’t want you to hear while what they do want you to hear is nearly always just “advertising”.

I do understand that in the modern world, with everyone using camera phones and social media to spread rumour, gossip and very often untruths, that players are cautious.

But surely that is a reason for them to build trusting relationships with members of the local media. That way they can ensure that their comments are reported honestly and correctly.